Rugby’s new college will be officially opened by the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning

Published:11:56Tuesday 14 June 2011

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JOHN Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, will formally open Warwickshire College’s Rugby centre tomorrow (Wednesday) at midday.

The centre, on land off Leciester Road, provides state-of-the-art learning facilities in a regeneration area of Rugby, with a range of training including full-time and part-time courses, further and higher education, apprenticeships and training for businesses.

Facilities at the centre include a fantastic sky-lit art studio, performance spaces, a four-court sports hall, all-weather playing pitch and facilities for a wide range of courses including A levels, hair and beauty, performing arts and construction. It also houses the £6.4m Power Academy, to train people in the skills needed for the power generation industry, a boost to local employment.

Principal and CEO, Mariane Cavalli, said: “We have developed this transformational centre to provide outstanding educational facilities incorporating the latest equipment for students and employers, investing in the economic well-being of the area. In addition, we have built a nursery, sports facilities, hair and beauty salons and a restaurant which are open to local people, reinforcing our continued desire to be at the very heart of the Rugby community. We are dedicated to making this new centre a truly vibrant, inclusive place to be and we look forward to inspiring students, businesses and the community for many years to come.”

The new college centre is situated on a brownfield site in the Brownsover area of Rugby – on the 82 acre former Alstom industrial site complex - supporting Rugby Borough Council’s plans for regeneration and urban renewal. It replaces the former building in Lower Hillmorton Road.

The centre is the result of the college’s partnerships with Rugby Borough Council, the Skills Funding Agency and the former Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands. It is well supported by local employers, who have donated key pieces of industry equipment which are being used to train current and future workers.

The new centre is fully operational with over 2300 students now enjoying the brand new, specialist facilities.